A sensory garden in dementia care: from design to practice Balerna Diurnal Therapeutic Centre

Abstract

Aims and objectives: Sensory gardens are supposed to be beneficial to improve mental well-being in vulnerable people. Our aim was to investigate how regularly attending a sensory garden can improve both quality of life and social interactions in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease. Background:A newly designed sensory garden in an elderly daytime health care center in Balerna in southern Switzerland is accessible almost all year long.

Smellscape as a healing factor in institutional gardens to enhance health and well‐being for older people with dementia: A scoping review

“…According to the studies, the mean age of participants with dementia ranged from 76.2 ± 6.7 (Koura & Ikeda, 2016) to 92 ± 6 years (Goto et al., 2017). All studies included older people in different stages of dementia, such as moderate dementia (Prolo & Sassi, 2017; Smith‐Carrier et al., 2021); mild to moderate dementia (Bourdon & Belmin, 2021; Gueib et al., 2020); mild and substantial cognitive impairment (Collins et al., 2020); severe, moderate and mild dementia (Edwards et al., 2013); moderate or severe dementia (Goto et al., 2017; Koura et al., 2018); and severe dementia (Anderson et al., 2011; Koura & Ikeda, 2016). One study noted that older people with dementia who could not show emotional responses were excluded from the analysis (Cox et al., 2004).…”

“…This study found that the environment formed by garden smellscapes and activities resulted in integrated health outcomes for older people with dementia. The healing effects on the mental health of older people with dementia were confirmed by the largest number of studies (Cox et al, 2004;Edwards et al, 2013;Koura et al, 2018;Koura & Ikeda, 2016;Prolo & Sassi, 2017). In terms of mental health outcomes, Cox et al (2004) In terms of physical health, three scholars explored the integrated health outcomes of garden smellscapes on activities of daily living, walking ability, one-legged standing values (Bourdon & Belmin, 2021), heart rate (Goto et al, 2017) and physical performance (Gueib et al, 2020) in older people with dementia.…”

“…While it is true that cognitive impairment and functional impairment cannot be cured, it is possible to compensate for the impairments associated with ageing and neurocognitive disorders by giving older people with dementia a better environment in which to lead a healthy life to promote well-being (Bourdon & Belmin, 2021). Therefore, the outdoor environment for older people with dementia must be designed to meet specific needs (Prolo & Sassi, 2017). However, specific patterns of how the environment affects body function and structure have not been explained in sufficient details in the included literature.…”

“…In this review, the health effects of garden smellscapes on older people with dementia that were discussed in the selected literature consisted mostly of effects derived from aromatic plants that were confirmed by the results of indoor aromatherapy studies (Collins et al, 2020;Cox et al, 2004;Gueib et al, 2020;Koura et al, 2018;Koura & Ikeda, 2016;Prolo & Sassi, 2017). For were used in horticultural therapy for olfactory stimulation (Koura et al, 2018;Koura & Ikeda, 2016).…”

“…example,Collins et al (2020) set up non-toxic plants, including cilantro, rosemary and others, near windows or under lights to stimulate the senses Gueib et al (2020). suggested the need to consciously choose plants that provide shade, that are non-toxic and odoriferous and that are familiar to older people with dementia Prolo and Sassi (2017). investigated an aerial garden consisting of wooden tables on a ramp with aromatic herbs as well as a garden enclosure interwoven with vegetation and covered with jasmine that gave the illusion of being in an open space.…”